Of all the train sta­tions in Lon­don to find your­self in with time to spare, St Pan­cras is the most pleas­ant. A few shops, wine bars, arti­san type food out­lets, and occa­sion­al announce­ments in French – and I dis­cov­ered Orlan­do Seale and the Swell were enter­tain­ing the crowds.

There’s even more going on at the moment as the sta­tion is host­ing its annu­al Sta­tions Ses­sions Fes­ti­val 2013, which con­tin­ues till May 9th. Each evening the con­course show­cas­es two bands between 5.30pm to 6.30pm, per­fect tim­ing if you’re on your way home or going out nearby.

I found myself at St Pan­cras on Thurs­day and enjoyed lis­ten­ing to a fab­u­lous band called Orlan­do Seale and the Swell. On vocals and gui­tar is Orlan­do Seale him­self, who as an actor has appeared in pro­duc­tions such as Pride and Prej­u­dice and Sleepy Hol­low but a perusal of his fil­mog­ra­phy will reveal the full extent of his work. The band is in effect a mini orches­tra who are a flu­id col­lec­tive of musi­cians, and they worked their way through a set of – well I would call them folk-inspired num­bers but the band describe them­selves as “alter­na­tive, orches­tral indie, punk folk.” The vio­lin and flute in par­tic­u­lar give the songs a rich­ness and depth. Their sound is good-humoured, upbeat and joy­ful; and this taster made me want to see them again.

Orlan­do Seale and the Swell

WHO: Orlan­do Seale and the Swell

WHEN: April 2013

WHERE: St Pan­cras Station